Religion Notes: July 6

Published: Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 8:35 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 8:35 a.m.

The Rev. John C. Neville, founding pastor and pastor emeritus, will lead the worship service beginning at 10:45 a.m. July 14 at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2101 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville.

Following the service, a covered dish luncheon will be held in the church picnic shelter. Friends of the church and of the Rev. Neville, former church members and friends are invited to attend both events.

Call 828-693-8651 for more information.

St. James class on Feed the Kids Coalition scheduled

The Christian Formation class at St. James Episcopal Church, 766 N. Main St., Hendersonville, will host the Rev.

Jacqui Weiks at 10:15 a.m. Sunday. Weiks is a member of the board of the Feed The Kids Coalition.

Weiks will share her passion about the collaborative venture of the numerous faith and civic groups. Learn more about this program, its history, ways to get involved and the needs of the program. A short DVD, created by professional photographer Julie Mallett, will be shown to the children at the Boys & Girls Club receiving hot meals that are prepared and served each Friday.

Weiks will honor the concept of the Feed the Kids program growing out of the Neighborhood Ministry Committee of the St. James Outreach Commission.

The Feed the Kids Coalition program is in its fourth year and has 11 faith communities participating to prepare, transport and serve hot meals to the children at the Boys & Girls Club.

The organization has incorporated and is in the process of becoming a 501(c)3 not-for-profit group.

For more information on the Feed the Kids Coalition, call 828-696-2100.

First Congregational forums continue

The adult forums continue at 9:15 a.m.

Sundays in the Felix building at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Ave. W. and White Pine Drive.

◆ Sunday and July 14: A two-session forum presented by Pam Prather and Charley Rogers, retired Hendersonville residents who have been co-facilitating workshops dealing with world peace, compassionate listening and social justice issues.

◆ July 21: Jacqueline Combs, a spiritual care provider in the Western North Carolina area working with individuals and groups, will present a talk on “Spiritual Direction.” She will share her perspective on one’s spiritual journey and direction, including some of her experiences that affected the direction of her own sacred journey.

◆ July 28: Diane Swift, a psychotherapist for almost 40 years and a blessing giver, will speak about “The Oneness Blessing.”

Known as “deeksha,” the Oneness Blessing was discovered in Southern India and is quickly spreading throughout the world. It is a transfer of energy to initiate higher states of consciousness by helping individuals to connect with their own divinity and experience their oneness. The sessions will be

free. Call 828-692-8630 for more information on “The Oneness Blessing.”

MILLS RIVER

Summer school for spirit program July 17

The second of three “Summer School for Your Spirit” programs will take place from 5:45-6:45 p.m. July 17 at Mills River Presbyterian Church, 10 Presbyterian Church Road. “Our Changing World” will be hosted by Dr. Gene Scruggs, a retired professor of 17th-century French literature. Sessions are free, and all adults in the Asheville and Hendersonville areas are invited to participate. Scruggs has taught at Appalachian State University and East Kentucky University.

He previously served as the director of the Overseas and Exchange program, along with the Study Abroad program, at the University of South Florida.

In 2002, he was awarded the Palme d’Academie by the French Government for his work at spreading French culture.

The final class in the series takes place on Aug. 21 with a historical look at the Dark Ages, when desperate measures were required and the pagan Franks (fearless warriors) were considered a solution to troubling times. The session documents the times leading up to when Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the Holy Germanic Roman Empire.

Call 828-891-7101 for more information.

July 14 concert to feature pianist LaTorre

The next Sunday Concerts at Providence will feature the gifted young pianist Mary LaTorre at 3 p.m. July 14 at Providence Baptist Church, 1201 Oakland St., Hendersonville.

LaTorre of Hendersonville will perform music by J.S. Bach, Mozart and Chopin. She has received numerous honors playing piano and classical harp.

Most recently, she has studied piano with master teacher Lynn Kitts.

Her mission in life is to perform and write music and to share her gifts in honor of God.

The free concert will last about an hour. Call 828-693-3081 for more information.

First Presbyterian renovating playground

A top-to-bottom renovation at First Presbyterian’s playground at 699 N. Grove St., Hendersonville, has begun and is expected to be completed in late August at a cost of about $45,000, according to Glenn Richardson, who is supervising the project. Of that cost, a little more than $37,500 has been provided through a bequest by the late Ann Mason and others, with additional funds already being donated. Richardson reports a touching story about a 9-year-old girl who donated her allowance. In order to reduce expenses, which would enable the church to allocate additional funds to new equipment, the major dismantling of the playground and equipment is being done by church volunteers.

Initially, the fencing around the toddler area will be removed and reinstalled at another location. The drainage pipe will be dug up and repaired, and mulch removed from the entire playground.

All the new equipment will be professionally installed, according to federal code requirements, including “fall zones” around all the equipment. About 12 inches of mulch will be installed as the final step. Call 828-692-3211 for more information.

<p>Founding pastor of Covenant Presbyterian to lead worship </p><p>The Rev. John C. Neville, founding pastor and pastor emeritus, will lead the worship service beginning at 10:45 a.m. July 14 at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2101 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville.</p><p>Following the service, a covered dish luncheon will be held in the church picnic shelter. Friends of the church and of the Rev. Neville, former church members and friends are invited to attend both events.</p><p>Call 828-693-8651 for more information. </p><p>St. James class on Feed the Kids Coalition scheduled </p><p>The Christian Formation class at St. James Episcopal Church, 766 N. Main St., Hendersonville, will host the Rev.</p><p>Jacqui Weiks at 10:15 a.m. Sunday. Weiks is a member of the board of the Feed The Kids Coalition.</p><p>Weiks will share her passion about the collaborative venture of the numerous faith and civic groups. Learn more about this program, its history, ways to get involved and the needs of the program. A short DVD, created by professional photographer Julie Mallett, will be shown to the children at the Boys & Girls Club receiving hot meals that are prepared and served each Friday.</p><p>Weiks will honor the concept of the Feed the Kids program growing out of the Neighborhood Ministry Committee of the St. James Outreach Commission.</p><p>The Feed the Kids Coalition program is in its fourth year and has 11 faith communities participating to prepare, transport and serve hot meals to the children at the Boys & Girls Club.</p><p>The organization has incorporated and is in the process of becoming a 501(c)3 not-for-profit group.</p><p>For more information on the Feed the Kids Coalition, call 828-696-2100. </p><p>First Congregational forums continue </p><p>The adult forums continue at 9:15 a.m.</p><p>Sundays in the Felix building at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Ave. W. and White Pine Drive. </p><p>◆ Sunday and July 14: A two-session forum presented by Pam Prather and Charley Rogers, retired Hendersonville residents who have been co-facilitating workshops dealing with world peace, compassionate listening and social justice issues. </p><p>◆ July 21: Jacqueline Combs, a spiritual care provider in the Western North Carolina area working with individuals and groups, will present a talk on “Spiritual Direction.” She will share her perspective on one's spiritual journey and direction, including some of her experiences that affected the direction of her own sacred journey. </p><p>◆ July 28: Diane Swift, a psychotherapist for almost 40 years and a blessing giver, will speak about “The Oneness Blessing.”</p><p>Known as “deeksha,” the Oneness Blessing was discovered in Southern India and is quickly spreading throughout the world. It is a transfer of energy to initiate higher states of consciousness by helping individuals to connect with their own divinity and experience their oneness. The sessions will be </p><p>free. Call 828-692-8630 for more information on “The Oneness Blessing.” </p><p>MILLS RIVER </p><p>Summer school for spirit program July 17 </p><p>The second of three “Summer School for Your Spirit” programs will take place from 5:45-6:45 p.m. July 17 at Mills River Presbyterian Church, 10 Presbyterian Church Road. “Our Changing World” will be hosted by Dr. Gene Scruggs, a retired professor of 17th-century French literature. Sessions are free, and all adults in the Asheville and Hendersonville areas are invited to participate. Scruggs has taught at Appalachian State University and East Kentucky University. </p><p>He previously served as the director of the Overseas and Exchange program, along with the Study Abroad program, at the University of South Florida. </p><p>In 2002, he was awarded the Palme d'Academie by the French Government for his work at spreading French culture. </p><p>The final class in the series takes place on Aug. 21 with a historical look at the Dark Ages, when desperate measures were required and the pagan Franks (fearless warriors) were considered a solution to troubling times. The session documents the times leading up to when Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the Holy Germanic Roman Empire. </p><p>Call 828-891-7101 for more information. </p><p>July 14 concert to feature pianist LaTorre </p><p>The next Sunday Concerts at Providence will feature the gifted young pianist Mary LaTorre at 3 p.m. July 14 at Providence Baptist Church, 1201 Oakland St., Hendersonville. </p><p>LaTorre of Hendersonville will perform music by J.S. Bach, Mozart and Chopin. She has received numerous honors playing piano and classical harp. </p><p>Most recently, she has studied piano with master teacher Lynn Kitts. </p><p>Her mission in life is to perform and write music and to share her gifts in honor of God. </p><p>The free concert will last about an hour. Call 828-693-3081 for more information. </p><p>First Presbyterian renovating playground </p><p>A top-to-bottom renovation at First Presbyterian's playground at 699 N. Grove St., Hendersonville, has begun and is expected to be completed in late August at a cost of about $45,000, according to Glenn Richardson, who is supervising the project. Of that cost, a little more than $37,500 has been provided through a bequest by the late Ann Mason and others, with additional funds already being donated. Richardson reports a touching story about a 9-year-old girl who donated her allowance. In order to reduce expenses, which would enable the church to allocate additional funds to new equipment, the major dismantling of the playground and equipment is being done by church volunteers. </p><p>Initially, the fencing around the toddler area will be removed and reinstalled at another location. The drainage pipe will be dug up and repaired, and mulch removed from the entire playground. </p><p>All the new equipment will be professionally installed, according to federal code requirements, including “fall zones” around all the equipment. About 12 inches of mulch will be installed as the final step. Call 828-692-3211 for more information.</p>